Sorry for such a long gap in fishing reports. Have been super busy with a lots of time on the water the past couple weeks. Fishing right now has remained consistently inconsistent. We have been getting decent sized keepers and more schoolies than I can remember. Certainly have't been setting the world on fire, but decent fishing none the less. While mackerel fishing remains excellent, the stripers have been on here today gone tomorrow type of pattern; not what you expect to hear from me, but the truth.
The Joubert family with a sweet 35 inch Striper caught trolling live mackerel
Lindsey with a nice Merrimack Striper on Manolin Charters
Friday the 27th, Michelle Joubert's charter led us to some nice fish including a 35 inch striper for her daughter Lindsey! The fishing inside the Merrimack River over the weekend remained consistent with about 5 keepers being the norm.
Billy with one of a dozen stripers caught on a Merrimack River Charter
Monday morning the 30th, was an epic tide. The bigger fish dropped back from upriver finally and everyone thought it was game on from there. The afternoon tide also provided a good bite for Kevin Donahue's charter with plenty of action. The fish I filleted for the crew were stuffed with adult herring, which was an excellent sign.
Wednesday, i had Adam Joffre and his friend Danielle aboard and we fished the turn of the incoming tide and landed a few schoolies and a couple keepers. Danielle had a PIG on her line early in the trip, but in true Merrimack River form, some dude ran her line over! ARGH!
Danielle smoked them with 4 fish including this keeper. She lost a monster when someone ran over her line!
Tim with a nice 33 inch Striper caught live lining mackerel on Manolin Charters!
The next few days remained pretty decent. I took a few days off the water to readjust during the 4th. Was back at it Sunday with Andy Decola's Half Day Charter in Newburyport where we nailed 11 keepers and a bunch of shorts all through out the tide. Again, it started to look like it was about to open up!
Julia with a 34 inch Striper caught on July 6th in front of Newburyport!
Monday, I went out solo and it had slowed down dramatically since the day before. I landed 4 nice fish in the 33 inch range and lost what was probably going to be the biggest fish of the year to a pulled hook! I couldn't stop this thing! Seriously...
The past 2 trips have been difficult for everybody. I think it may have to do with the full moon. Tuesday, Kevin and his boys came out again and it shut right off. They never gave up and fished hard, had a few non aggressive hits, and got a schoolie or two to the boat.
Wednesday was especially tough. A little more challenging to get bait, but we still loaded up the well. Steve LeBlanc and his crew hung tough and got a couple schoolies and a keeper with a few more bites mixed in. Of course, I forgot to take a pic of the keeper at the docks!
Looking forward to this weekend as we fall off the full moon. Going on the first shark trip of the year on soon. Reports from the tuna guys are that they have been getting some big blue sharks Will report back!
To sum it up, you just have to get out there and fish. It has been unpredictable for sure, but the days we have hit have been excellent and there have been some big fish around!
Tight Lines,
Capt. Chris